Published 12:13 pm, Monday, October 20, 2014

Walking into the Orna Feinstein exhibition is almost akin to walking into a carnival fun house — but the coolest one ever.

With her ultra-cool printmaking techniques, Feinstein’s work in “Now and Zen: 15 Years of Printmaking” is not only art on display, but it’s also a magical trip where her works appear and disappear in front of your eyes. The exhibition continues the museum’s focus on the art of printmaking which started in early 2014.

As part of the museum’s Contemporary Artist Series 2014: Texas NEWS (North, East, West, South), the Houston-based artist’s work will show through Nov. 9.

We asked museum executive director Brian Lee Whisenhunt and curator Wendy Earle what top things visitors should look for and take away to get the ultimate Feinstein experience.

Look for:

The printed Plexiglas, which the artist developed a special (secret) technique to do, can be seen in pieces like Twisted, Trunk in a Box and Arboriform No.1.

The Rings Series exude tree rings prominently throughout the space but different configurations create a variety of results.

People trying to touch the artwork; and they shouldn’t.

Visitors getting dizzy in their attempts to focus on Feinstein’s use of trippy lines and patterns.

The gallery guide with its statement by the artist where she mentioned her inspiration by “the interior geometry of the organic, the concentric patterns of tree rings or the cellular structure of a plan when observed under a microscope.” And then turn around to see it for real.

Feinstein’s 3D pieces which are activated by the viewer. This isn’t work to stand in front of, but it forces you to move around and observe it.

Take away:

These are prints, which usually mean multiples, but in this case they are unique or singular.

Her process is very different as she is layering or almost collaging the different parts of her work together.

Many of the ideas are rooted in nature or science, but they have been visually exploded into the world and space so that the viewer can consider them.

If nothing else, get lost in the abundance of patterns. For the fashion-minded, think 1960s designs by Pucci, Gucci and Fiorucci.